Wednesday, October 28, 2009

WOW.. I can't believe I didn't even get ONE post in since I mentioned the giveaway.. I'm SUCH a slacker! Oh well.. on with the update.

So it was 14 years ago TODAY that God gave us one of our most precious and treasured gifts, He gave us our firstborn son.

Brent was as beautiful and healthy as any new mom could wish for. All ten fingers and toes were there.. he had hair the color of his daddy's, and his skin was as pink and soft as could be. He was PERFECT. We never knew what a short time we'd have to spend with this AMAZING gift, but OH the things he taught us in his short life!

Those of you that have been with us for any length of time have probably already heard me tell of how Brent started telling those he loved how they needed JESUS. (This started happening when he was only 4. He was told Zach - who was TWO at the time that he should ask Jesus to save him NOW.. ha!)

Brent "officially" accepted Christ as his SAVIOR on Easter Sunday at the age of 8. Yes, he was something special from the beginning. Our boy is such a treasure! (I hate to speak of him in past tense because he IS still ALIVE, AMEN?? He's actually MORE ALIVE in Heaven than we are here)

Oh, how I'd love to share all the details and all the ways he blessed us, but that might very well take FOREVER. To say he was a blessing to all of us would be a tremendous understatement.

I'd like to say a SPECIAL "THANK YOU" to all of you that are, and have been celebrating his LIFE with us this month!! It's a WONDERFUL feeling to know that he's remembered.

My challenge to you today is to ask you to do a random act of kindness for someone today in memory of Brent. He absolutely LOVED to make other people happy. It doesn't take much to bless someone.. it might be as small a gesture as offering a smile to the next person you meet. (You never know what might be going on in the heart of the stranger you meet on the street.. they too may be dealing with the loss, or pending loss of a loved one)

Yes, our boy was also DELIGHTED by giving gifts to others! That's why I chose to celebrate his LIFE by having a giveaway on his birthday. With that said.. the winners are..............

and finally, a Lunch for Life cookbook. This is a special cookbook put together by families that have/had children with neuroblastoma. There is a picture of Brent and one of his FAVORITE breads inside - Teresa

Congratulations to all of our winners! Would you please email me with your mailing addresses so I can get this out to you? ☺ nason5@aol.com

I SO WISH I could send something to EVERYONE! THANKS again for visiting and for joining us as we remember our sweet little man.

(Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy, we love you all the way to HEAVEN and back! We count ourselves BLESSED to have been your parents)

Precious Sister, I had left a comment on your FB message about your dear Brent earlier. I hope you received it. My arms of prayer and love are wrapped around you and your family while you celebrate the beautiful LIFE of your dear son Brent. I'm sure he's smiling BIG in heaven with the LORD.

I really am deeply touched by your generosity to give to others in Brent's name. I'm so blessed by that.

Thank you so much for the candles but even MORE I'm thankful that the LORD allowed you and your hubby the blessing and treasure of birthing the life of such an amazing child. His time here was short but look at the life long lasting legacy of touching others lives that he has left. He did in those years what some don't do in a lifetime.

Happy Birthday, B-R-E-N-T!I was thinking of all that you are doing right this very moment...

Boldly approaching the throne and seeing the face of our CreatorRadiating in your new perfect bodyEveryday rejoicing with the Saints and the AngelsNever feeling pain nor sorrow nor the curse of sin againTotally healed!

Tonya, I tried to get a little creative with that acronym. Sorry...I guess it is the teacher in me.

One thing that struck me in this post was that you said he is actually more alive than us. Jason and I were reading the Bible the other day and discussing that very same thing. Everything we see in this world is dying; Brent is experiencing the living! We get so caught up in this life, that we get that mixed up sometimes, and I am so happy you brought that up. =)

I love you and am thinking of you today, and everyday! You guys are in our prayers.

Anytime you'd like to share any special things about Brent, I'd LOVE to hear all about him! Happy Birthday to your precious Brent and Happy Becoming a Mom day to you!

Today is my friend Sonia's 3rd child/2nd son's birthday, he went to heaven when he was 6 months old after his battle against a blood disease that took his oldest brother and that his sister has beat and his baby brother is currently fighting against.

So two special little boys entered this earth today and I celebrate them both!!! Remembering and honoring Brent today.

Eeeeks - what a creature of habit -sent my love and b'day thoughts on Brent's site - but would never want you to think I forgot Brent or his wonderful family on this extra special day! A boy who is/was so special he had his very own parade never gets forgotten! As always thank you for sharing - and I do hope that Zach and Gabe get a Brent b'day cake and a ice cream party with lots of Sweet Brent memories...XXOO-Love, randy

Hi Tonya!You have such a sweet heart and it's easy to see that Brett did, too. I just know that he's smiling down on you from Heaven. I know that today is one of remembrance and sorrow, but, also, of celebration for all the lives he touched. Please know that I'm thinking of and praying for you today! God Bless!

Praying so for your family as you face this day without Brent!Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Prayer BearsMy email address

I remember when I first came across your blog and was reading about Brent...oh the chills I get still to this day when I read about him! He was such an amazing boy with such amazing faith! The songs he would sing of his Lord & Savior. Oh Brent how you are missed.

This is the first time I've visited your blog, and WOW, what a story. What a very special boy (and child of the King) he was. Celebrating with you that he is now alive and whole in the presence of his Savior.

Tonya,It was so nice reading about Brent and the day that God choose you to bring him into this world. And you know...I can't wait to sit with you and him FOREVER and visit...I would quess he and Brandon have already met, and oh the things they get to see and experience...someday that will be all of us as well! (smile)

Checking in to see how you're doing. Praying!I Peter 2:9-10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying right now!Psalm 116:1-4 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.Prayer BearsMy email address

It has been awhile since I checked in - been on the computer actually - and what a special post to find today. I pray Brent's birthday was special...and a joy to your heart! How I loved reading his testimony, getting just a glimpse of such a special boy and all the pictures you shared! What a grand reunion Heaven is sure to be!!

Know that I'm here praying!Psalm 121:1-4 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying right now!Psalm 121:5-8 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.Prayer BearsMy email address

Always here praying!Numbers 6:24-26: The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that I'm here praying!Isaiah 43:1-3a: But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.Prayer BearsMy email address

The Lord knows everything that's going on and is always there, working. I'm here praying!Hebrews 4:13-16 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying!II Corinthians 1:3-4: Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.Prayer BearsMy email address

Continuing to pray!II Samuel 22:29-33 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying right now!Psalm 31:5-8: Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth...but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.Prayer BearsMy email address

Thankful that the Lord knows all the whys and that all things are in His hands! Praying!Isaiah 55:8-9: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying!John 3:14-17 ¶And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that I'm here praying!John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Prayer BearsMy email address

Still here, still praying!Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying right now!Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.Prayer BearsMy email address

Still here praying!Psalm 34:17-20 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying for you right now!Psalm 20:5-7 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying hard in Seattle!Psalms 46:1-5 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.Prayer BearsMy email address

Continuing to pray!Psalms 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.Prayer BearsMy email address

It has been such a blessing to REmeet you in blogland...You have enriched my life. You have inspired me .Blessings to you and yours....Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with many blessings.TeresaGrammy Girlfriend http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/ and http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com

Knock, knock! Anybody home?Praying right now!Isaiah 63:7-9: I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.Prayer BearsMy email address

Continuing to pray!Psalm 71:5-8 For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.Prayer BearsMy email address

These verses give such great comfort! Praying!Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.Prayer BearsMy email address

Lifting up prayers!Psalm 3:3-5 But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying in Seattle!Romans 5:4-6 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that I'm here praying!John 11:25-26: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?Prayer BearsMy email address

The Lord understands everything you go through! Praying!Isaiah 53:1-3: Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.Prayer BearsMy email address

Continuing to lift up prayers!Matthew 11:28-30: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that your family is always in my thoughts and prayers!Isaiah 53:4-6 ¶Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.Prayer BearsMy email address

Christ suffered in our place that we might have the hope of Heaven! Always praying!Isaiah 53:11-12 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying!Psalm 9:9-10: The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.Prayer BearsMy email address

Lifting up prayers right now!Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying in Seattle!Psalms 37:39-40 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.Prayer BearsMy email address

Continuing to lift up prayers!Psalm 91:1-2, 4: He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust...He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that I'm here praying right now.Psalm 23:1-3: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.Prayer BearsMy email address

Praying right now!Psalm 23:4-6 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that I'm praying!Psalm 121:1-4: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.Prayer BearsMy email address

Know that I'm continuing to pray!John 14:1-3: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.Prayer BearsMy email address

Am here praying!Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Prayer BearsMy email address

Blessings Tonya...You've been away from blogging for quite a while!!!I remember reading this last fall.Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful words from a beautiful heart! Precious son and friend of Jesus that Brent is!!! What a irreplaceable mark he has made!

But the real reason I came was to THANK YOU SO MUCH for hijacking Susan's blog to let us know it's her birthday!!! Super sweet of you!

You ever coming back here?Continuing to pray!Romans 8:15-18 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.Prayer BearsMy email address

KNOCK, KNOCK! You ever gonna come back here?Continuing to pray!Romans 8:35, 36-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Prayer BearsMy email address

Hey you....I check on you frequently online...but I am figuring I may just need to make a trip south! SMILE....anyway...wanted to say HELLO, let you know I am thinking about you and praying for you...and pass on a piece of scripture that is really ministering to me right now...it is "The Message's" version.

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right directionPsalm 23:1-3 ~ The Message

Come back out and play!Praying!Isaiah 25:8-9: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. Prayer BearsMy email address

You ever coming back over here?The Lord is with you right now, lifting you up, giving you strength! Always praying!Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.Prayer BearsMy email address

Isaiah 26:3-4 (New Living Translation)

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 4 Trust in the Lordalways, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Our Sweet Brent (at 11)

10/28/1995 - 01/02/07

Brent's Story...

Our son Brent suddenly started to complain with back pain in the fall of 2004. He was playing flag football with the town league and loved to roughhouse with his two younger brothers so the pain was dismissed at first. After having him tested for kidney and bladder infections and finding him clear we finally asked for an MRI of his back. A couple of weeks later (the very day of the MRI) we received a phone call from his doctor saying that a tumor was found in his pelvic area. We were asked how quickly we could get him to St. Jude Children's Hospital - we left IMMEDIATELY. Later that same week we got the diagnosis. It was one that we would NEVER, EVER forget. It was Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. His chances of survival when diagnosed were 1/4 - 1/3. When he relapsed we were reminded there was NO CURE. There was basically no hope of survival... none outside the HOPE we had in JESUS.

Brent fought long and hard. He was a Christian and LOVED his SAVIOR. He NEVER asked "why" or complained. He took each day as it was - a gift from GOD. Brent went HOME to be with the LORD on January 2, 2007. He was 11 years old. If I've EVER had a "hero" in this world.... it would be him.

Zach, Gabe & Me

Zach - at the age of 11

Gabe at age 7 (He's 8 as of 12/21)

Hubby & Me

Psalm 16:7-9

7I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.

Some of My Friends

bandofparents.org - Funding Neuroblastoma Research

FIGHT Neuroblastoma while you SHOP!

This is a cookbook has a recipe of Brent's FAVORITE bread! (Sweet Potato Bread) There's also a picture of him inside with his recipe.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE CHARITIES, Grab the button for your blog if you'd like!